Telegeaph key



5 NITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

enonen GUMMING, on NEW Yonx, N. Y.

TELEGRAPH-KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,645, dated April is, 1882.

' Application filed May 10, 1881. (hlodcL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1-, Gnonen Genuine, of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Telegraph-Keys; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the arts to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- 1 Figure 1 represents a side elevation ofa telegraph-key embodying mysaidinvention, Fig. 2 being a plan or top view of the same; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinalsection of said telegraph-key, taken on line P P drawn through Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a transverse section of the same, taken on a line, KK, Fig. 2;-and Fig. 5, a detail of disks.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts. The invention relates to the usual form of telegraph-keys, which consist of a standard supportinga lever which is hungon a trunnion.

Heretofore the contact between the two poles of telegraph-keys has been made either by metal points orthe ends of wires cut square, or by apoint working on a hemisphere, or a point coming in contact with the side, face, or margin of a disk. The first method is objectionable because by reason of oxidation or dust collecting between the contact-points of the key imperfect electrical connection is made, and what is called sticking is caused. The second and third methods are also objectionable, because they only partially remedy the same difficulty (viz., sticking) by allowing only one of the contact-points to be adjustable.

The object of niy invention is to remedy the difficulty of sticking by providing for the adjustability of both contact-points, whereby better electrical connection is insured, and at the same time the smallest possible surface of actual contact is attained, together with the largest possible surface held in reserve, to be used at a moments notice, when necessary or required.

The invention consists of two metal disks used asthe two contact points of the key, the

peripheries ofsaid disks being preferablyplaced .the same, the two disks working freelyin slots and grooves provided for this purpose.

In the drawings, the standard T forms a bolt for thescrew A, which runs through a hardrubbercore at the end of the standard N, and is fastened under the table, as is also screw 0, by thumb-screws H H, as is usual, to keep the key firm and secure in its place. The disks or wheels D and W are adjusted in their places by axles X X, working in slots and grooves in the lever L and in the standard T, and held in place by set-screws F F, working on the said axles X X, the upper wheel or disk, D, with its axle, being secured in this way in side the lever L, and the lower disk, W, with its accompanying axle, being fastened in' a similar manner inside the standard T. The axles of each disk are placed at right angles to each other, and theplaue on which each disk is swung on its axle perpendicular to the plane of the other. g

M M are trunnion-screws, and E the screw which regulates the vertical motion of the lever.

The operation of the device is as follows: By a pressure on the button B connection is made between the two electrical poles of the key by the two disks D and W touching one another on their peripheries 011 aline vertical to the axis of each disk. Atariy time, should dust accumulate or oxidation take place at the point of contact, the trouble can be quickly remedied by turning each disk slightly on its axis until a new or bright surface for contact is reached.

Having thus described the nature and object of my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with the operating-lever and base of a telegraph-key, of two rollers or disks, one on the lever and the other on the 3. The combination of lever L, standard T, base, said rollers having a peripheral contact wheels or disks D and W, axles X X,-and set; and serving as the hammer and anvil for said screws or nuts F F, substantially as and for key, substantially as described. the purpose set forth. 5 2. The combination of the lever and base of a telegraph-key with two disks having a GEORGE OUMMING. peripheral contact, and arranged at approxiv Y mately right angles to each other,and serving \Vitnesses: as the hammer and anvil for said key, sub- A. B. HINE, m slantially as described. J. L. MCGDIPSEY. 

